ABSTRACT
The transformation of watersheds is a characteristic of human civilization. Humans transform natural landscapes into various kinds of “land use” that provide them with habitation and resources. Altered hydrology and soil erosion occur as a consequence of these transformations, which are problems that must be addressed. The main kinds of transformations include development of agriculture, urbanization, and alterations of streams, rivers, and coastlines. In all cases natural vegetation is removed or changed and land forms are simplified (usually leveled). Society generally accepts that these direct impacts must occur to accommodate human land use, but indirect impacts such as erosion are not acceptable and require engineering solutions and/or management.
